Our Story

Floasis is a communal art studio in Santa Cruz, California. The structure is a 2000 sq ft. greenhouse built in 1961, originally designed to grow orchids and mushrooms. It was later developed into a slip casting clay studio that changed hands several times over the decades.

In January of 2016, Steven Hirsch offered Travis work space in exchange for cleaning up the dilapidated greenhouse. The greenhouse was filled from floor to ceiling with roughly 75 tons of plaster slip casting molds.  After a year of work Travis proposed a plan to renovate the space and develop a communal art studio. In a gargantuan act of generosity, Steven relinquished the lease and allowed Travis to pursue his vision.

Since then, Floasis has hosted over 200 members, participates in Open Studios Santa Cruz as well as offering regular classes, life drawing, and kids clay camp. The space is fueled by countless hours of volunteer help and heaps of donated material. The space is constantly changing and evolving.